Bound for Madrid

Last August, I moved in with my two Jewish roommates and we started writing about our interfaith living situation for the Busted Halo blog, Girls Meet God. Truthfully, I’ve never been one to talk openly about religion and while I was raised Catholic I never really knew the exact answers of why I believe the things that I do. Often, it was just a reflection of what I experienced as a child.

Why do I give up chocolate for Lent? Does going to church every Sunday really make you a better Catholic? Are there coincidences in life, or is it all a part of God’s bigger plan? I’m hoping to find the beginnings of these answers while in Madrid for World Youth Day, but also to discover why the Catholic faith is so important to some and what being Catholic means for people in different countries.

Throughout the past few years, it wasn’t at Mass that I felt God’s presence, but at concert venues, pursuing what I love. That’s where I truly feel connected to my faith. My roommates have told me, “Doing what you love takes a lot of faith.” While I believe this to be true I’m hoping that I can start finding my faith everywhere — not just at a concert venue or interviewing my favorite band — but in day-to-day situations. And this August in Madrid I plan to do just that while talking with other young pilgrims, asking priests and nuns the questions we always wonder but are too afraid to ask, and just being open to the unexpected.

Annie Reuter, is a freelance writer and music blogger who covers concerts and music festivals around the country. In constant pursuit of the next show to attend and band to interview, Annie keeps up her own music blog, You Sing, I Write, where she uncovers what it's really like to spend the day with a rock star.